Lynn Steward

Lynn Steward has unique insights into her chosen setting, bringing the fashion world of 1970s New York alive for readers of all ages. I could almost feel and smell the world around me as it unfolded. There is a timelessness about the struggle to thrive as a woman, especially a young woman, to not only thrive but break through barriers in her chosen career field. Lynn spins out a story that wraps the reader slowly in its embrace, like a soft cashmere shawl. Many readers will be able to identify with the struggle of finding oneself and the eternal search for some kind of balance in their lives. This book is proof that success, money, prestige, are not, on their own, enough to grant true happiness. A deep and lasting happiness comes only when we are not only true to ourselves, but unafraid to stick to what we feel is right, even in the face of strong opposition. Lynn has created a strong and dynamic heroine in Dana, one who conquers the fights in her personal and business lives with as much dignity and aplomb as knight of old. A truly modern fairy tale, 'What Might Have Been' is a page turner for women of all ages.… (mehr)

April Snow by Lynn Steward is the second book in her Dana McGarry series. Having met Dana in the first book of the series - A Very Good Life - we are reminded of her upwardly mobile career in fashion merchandising at a prestigious New York City department store. We now encounter Dana, newly divested of her cheating husband, as she begins a brief but much-needed respite from her life. She opts to spend her time in London, where she tries to get her head back into place. While there she meets by chance a priest who will become her spiritual adviser. But like any creative person will tell you, a creative mind never sleeps. And while on vacation Dana not only comes up with a winner of an idea to take home but also learns that her nemesis - a woman named Helen who is her immediate supervisor - has once again shot down a boutique that Dana had conceived.

Upon her return to New York, Dana is drawn to a man named Mark with whom she's worked for the last four years. A casual dinner, then another, soon lead to a full-blown romance and Dana finds herself in love. She and Mark conceive of a way to introduce Dana's creativity into the staid and stodgey department store while working around Helen. Seems like everything is coming up roses for these two. Until an unexpected turn of events and a accident that puts someone's life at risk turn things around once more and Dana's dream world comes crashing down. Will she be able to pick up the pieces?

Set against the backdrop of New York City in the 1970s, April Snow is a steadily moving story that will captivate and charm the reader. Ms. Steward's descriptions are spot on - especially for this reader who is quite familiar with the New York of the seventies. While reading the first book of the series is always desirable, in this case it is not necessary. April Snow is a fine stand-alone book. The character of Dana McGarry is complex. She is at times aggressive in her career goals and at other times quite the young, somewhat naive girl where love and marriage is concerned. At the book's conclusion, the reader is left wanting to find out what comes next for Dana McGarry.… (mehr)

As I'm always on the lookout for a new series to lose myself in, I thought I'd give the Dana McGarry stories a try. Like me, Dana McGarry is a 20-something, happily married career woman in the early 1970s. She has a challenging job in one of the most exclusive department stores in New York City and she is very good at what she does. Dana has been married for eight years to Brett McGarry, a rising star in his law firm who is about to be offered a partnership. The life that Dana and Brett have laid out for themselves seems to be going according to plan. Dana dreams that with partnership on the horizon for her husband she may soon have that country house and the children she dreams of. But we all know that life doesn't always go according to plan. Dana realizes that her life is poised for a major change but she mistakenly takes it to be a good change. She is offered proof that her husband, who has grown more distant over the past three years, is engaged in an affair. Should she stay in her marriage or go? Is it just a passing thing or an omen of what the future holds?

I loved this book! It has a timeless quality about it as it deals with the betrayal of a spouse and the aftermath of emotional upheaval. I also was thrilled that while there was extra-marital sex involved there were no cheap, tawdry, or sensational scenes. Sometimes the imagination is more creative than what is written. The character of Dana McGarry is endearing. I found myself cheering for her throughout the book - whether in a work-related scene or one with her friends and spouse. Brett McGarry tries to be likeable but in spite of himself just proves to the reader what a slime ball he is. Secondary characters populate the rest of the book but none overwhelm the McGarrys. That is just what a secondary character should do - be present without drawing too much attention away from the main characters.

A Very Good Life by Lynn Steward is an easy read, a real page turner. I couldn't wait to see what would happen to Dana next and stayed up later than I should have a couple of times. A terrific book to take when traveling or to read by the pool this summer. I'm so happy to have discovered Lynn Steward's books and look forward to reading the next in the series.… (mehr)